The Annual Gaillardia or Blanket flower is an excellent plant for cutting and garden display but it is not a popular choice. One reason is that there are several other annuals with yellow and red Daisy-like flowers, but the double Gaillardia is a novelty. It is also an untidy blooms to ensure autumn flowering .
VARIETIES: The basic Annual Gaillardia is G. pulchella which bears large, yellow-edged red flowers, These blooms are single-a better plan is to choose one of double –flowering hybrids. The ball-shaped blooms are very colourful and are available in a variety of plant heights. G. pulchella lorenziana grows 2ft high – ‘Lollipops’ is a 1ft dwarf.
SITE & SOIL: Any well- drained garden soil will do – thrives in sun or liht shade .
PLANT DETAILS: Height 1-2 ft. Spacing 9 in. -1 ½ ft. Flowering period June-September.
PROPAGATION: Follow the Half Hardy Annual technique sow outdoors in April in mild districts.
